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Charlotte Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Charlotte, NC, USA
- Race Date: 11/14/2026
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Charlotte Marathon Description
The Charlotte Marathon is an annual November race that draws thousands of runners to the streets of North Carolina’s largest city. The certified-Boston-qualifying course loops out from Uptown Charlotte through leafy Dilworth, historic Myers Park, artsy NoDa, and Plaza Midwood before returning downtown, with the toughest rolling hills packed into the second half. Alongside the full marathon, race weekend features a half marathon, relay, 5K, and kids’ fun run, drawing a record field in 2025. Runners looking for a scenic Piedmont challenge with big-city energy and small-town charm will find both here.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Charlotte Marathon Additional Details:
Every finisher medal here comes with an iTAB, a small personalized tag threaded onto the ribbon bearing your name, finish time, and an optional message, so the medal reads like a keepsake rather than a mass-produced trinket. Charlotte’s local run clubs turn out in force at aid stations and course crossings, providing a level of hometown crowd energy that’s hard to manufacture at bigger races. The race weekend also supports Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital, giving every entry a charitable purpose beyond the finish line. Once you’re done, the Finish Line Festival throws open its gates to spectators and runners alike, turning the finish area into a genuine Queen City block party rather than a roped-off recovery zone.
Course Information
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 6 hours (full), 3 hours (half)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 3,000+
Marathon: 2,600 to 2,700
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 1,044 ft (318 m)
Elevation Loss: 1,046 ft (318 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 37°F
- High: 59°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Charlotte, NC, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Food & Drink
NoDa Brewing Company
Sip a World Beer Cup-winning IPA at NoDa Brewing Company, the original craft brewery that put Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood on the map — a relaxed way to celebrate the finish.
Sports & Entertainment
Carowinds
Ride Fury 325, the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster, or cool off at Carolina Harbor waterpark at Carowinds — a fun, low-key way to spend an afternoon.
Museums & History
NASCAR Hall of Fame
See relics from legendary drivers and try a racing simulator at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Center City — an easy, air-conditioned indoor stop for recovering legs.
Outdoors & Trails
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Explore 30-plus miles of trails at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, home to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river — pick an easy hiking trail for tired legs.
Landmark
Billy Graham Library
Trace Charlotte native Billy Graham’s journey from a North Carolina dairy farm to stadiums worldwide at the Billy Graham Library — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop.
Shopping
NoDa Neighborhood Shops
Browse eclectic boutiques like OldNews Vintage and Curio Craft & Conjure in the art-filled NoDa neighborhood — an easy, flat, walkable stroll for a post-race souvenir.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Carolina Raptor Center
See nearly 40 rescued birds of prey, from eagles to owls, up close at the Carolina Raptor Center — a flat, self-paced walk that’s easy on tired legs.
Arts & Culture
Levine Center for the Arts
Get 48-hour access to three museums, including the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Mint Museum, with one ticket at the Levine Center for the Arts — a relaxed rest-day option.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Snap photos in the canal garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, about 20 miles from Uptown, with orchid conservatory and scenic trails — a flat, low-impact stop.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Charlotte Marathon
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